St. Landry democrat., 1887-07-16
General Nichols Popularity.
PlcaNllIir.


/ General Nichols has already devcl-
/ oped IL strength in the pending canvass
! in this state which has exceeded the
most sanguine expectations Of his
friends. There has never been any
doubt in the minds Of men well inform
ed as to the drift of public sentiment
in Louisiana that he was the most pop
ular man III the state, and that with
fair play he would be made the cand-
date OF his party for the gOvernOrship
| in the next election. But very few an
ticipated that thus early in the contest
the tide would set 50 overwhelmingly
in his favor. 1t requires very little
study of the situation, however, to ac-
count for the extent and force of this
movement.
In the first place, General Nichols is
pre- eminently the peoples candidate as
opposed to any candidate who may be
put up to represent the political ambi-
ton of individuals, OF the special inter
ests of rings and cliQucs. EVERYBODY
knows that he is incapable of bargain
ing and trading or log rolling for posi-
ton. Any charge to the contrary wOuld
be universally discredited in Louisiana :;
not even his enemies could really be-
lieve it. We affirm without hesitation
lt1tt TIC Has pluultStti iio lutl! ttHf llltLE
for his support in this canvass, and that
he will not accept support attended by
any sort OF compromising conditions
There are, no doubt, regular politicians
who will support him, as there are 9th
ers of the same class who will oppose
him; but not one vote will be cast fol
him i'll return fer any promise from him.
When we say this, we are expressing
the conviction of the people of L0uisi-
ana.
This fact alone is sufficient to account
for General Nichols great popularity
as IA candidate at this .iuncture. II is
notorious that the present state admin
stration uses the patronage at its dis
posal to further its political prospects,
and it does not venture in this canvass
to stand simply upon ii record of public
service. 1t is the contrast presented by
General Nichols attitude which at
tracts the confidence of the people and
commands their support. They are
heartily tired of a leadership which is
so narrow in its policy and SO personal
in its aspirations.
1t is common to refer to this canvass
as a struggle between two factions, but
that isnot its real character. The masses
of the Democratic party in Louisiana
neither seek nor desire office. They are
Democratic because they approve the
principles and are devoted to the ira
ditions OF the Democratic party. They
are now in opposition to the admins
tration both because they have found it
weak and inefficient, and because they
believe it to be generally influenced by
Il favoritism that is neither disintel-
ested nor patriotic. The struggle is
therefore one between the great body
of the party and an organized clique of
office holders.
The fact that some regular politicians
have enrolled themselves on General
Nichols side does not initiate in the
least against this assertion. But what
ever their motive may be, it is certain
that they are not where they are be
cause General Nichols has promised
them any return for their support
Is it better to vote fOl the candidate
who depends upon official influence, or
for the candidate who appeals to the .
people i'll behalf of an impartial and i'm /
personal government That is the |
question, and it is not met by the an
swer that Governor McEnery is not /
by all the politicians in the
State.